Bible Strands
Numbers 24:1
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Balaam stands before Balak after repeated failed attempts to curse Israel. He observes Yahweh's deliberate choice to bless Israel and shifts his posture from divination toward the wilderness.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיַּרְא (wa-yar') means "he saw," paired with כִּי טוֹב בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה (ki tov be-enei Yahweh), literally "that it was good in the eyes of Yahweh." This phrase marks a turning point where Balaam recognizes divine approval rather than relying on ritual divination.
The thread — This recognition echoes Numbers 23:23, which declares no divination works against Israel, and contrasts with Numbers 22:13 where Balaam previously refused Balak’s messengers because Yahweh forbade it. The narrative thread tracks Yahweh’s sovereign blessing overriding human attempts at manipulation.
Why it lands — The text reports Balaam abandoning omens upon perceiving Yahweh’s blessing, demanding a reader acknowledge that divine favor operates independently of human ritual or negotiation. It requires the reader to stop seeking control and accept the stated reality of God’s chosen blessing.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
Cross-references
- Numbers 23:23 For there is no spell against Jacob and no divination against Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and Israel, ‘What great things God has done!’
- Numbers 22:13 So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s princes, “Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”
- Numbers 23:3 “Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.” So Balaam went off to a barren height,
- Numbers 23:15 Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offering while I meet the LORD over there.”
- Numbers 23:20 I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.
- Numbers 23:28 And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.
- Numbers 31:16 “Look, these women caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to turn unfaithfully against the LORD at Peor, so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD.
- Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.
- 1 Samuel 24:20 Now I know for sure that you will be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.
- 1 Samuel 26:2 So Saul, accompanied by three thousand chosen men of Israel, went down to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there.